Mix Home Page & Room Redesigns
Topic: Lycos Mix
We’ve been busier than usual recently at Lycos Headquarters. Not only has our Lycos.com home page, had a facelift [link to home page post], but the Lycos Mix home page and Mix room pages each have a shiny new look and feel.

The new Mix home page displays featured Mixes, newly created Mixes, and the Mix Bookmarklet which makes adding videos to your Mixes even easier. The new home page launch has also integrated user profiles – you can now add a picture, bio, and Mix buddies. Your profile will display those items, as well as your favorite Mixes, your Mixes, and your most recently viewed Mix.

 

All Mix videos are now displayed next to the currently playing video so it’s easier to jump around from video to video, or to browse the selections in the Mix. Above the videos, you’ll be able to add a Mix to your Favorites, rate the Mix, or add a video to the Mix. Chat, comments, and related Mixes are now displayed below to make it easy for you to chat with other users and to browse the site for more Mixes you might be interested in viewing.

 

What do you think of Mix’s new look? Let us know in the comments.

The Easiest Way to Find Videos Online - Blinkx Video Search Comes to Lycos Mix
Topic: Lycos Mix

The days of searching website after website to find your favorite videos are over. Now, with one search on Lycos Mix you can find videos from across the Web, and make your own unique playlist with them.

If you haven’t used Lycos Mix yet, now’s the best time to start. Make a Mix in less than a minute. Just enter a name for your Mix, the category, and then search for videos in the search box. Your search results will display below and one click adds the video to your Mix. You can even watch the videos before adding them, and keep watching while you search for new videos.

 

 

Kyle XY Viewing Parties
Topic: Lycos Mix

 

 

Last summer, a teenager woke up naked in the woods with no memory of who he was or how he got there on a little show ABC Family debuted called Kyle XY.  Quite unexpectedly, the series about the navel-free teen became ABC Family’s highest-rated program.  The second season premiered on ABC Family on Monday, June 11 and will feature 23 episodes, a significant increase over the 10-episode first season.

When Lycos Cinema hosted viewing parties for the season finale of one of ABC Family’s most popular series, Wildfire, fans were excited to watch the show while chatting with other fans.  This summer, Kyle XY fans will get the same opportunity.  Lycos and ABC Family are presenting Kyle XY viewing parties to view 13 weekly episodes throughout season two.  Each episode will be available to watch online for an entire week after it airs on television.  Go to http://kylexy.lycos.com to reserve a private screening or host a public party – simply create a viewing party and invite your friends.  Kyle XY viewing parties let screening room hosts block unfriendly users from the chat for an even better viewing experience.

Season two has already answered the question: “Who is Kyle XY?”  But the season premiere already produced an entirely new set of mysteries.  It turns out that Kyle is not one of a kind.  Tune in to see how this beguiling series weaves sci-fi with relatable, family drama.  If you are a first time viewer, viewing parties are a perfect way to find fans to answer your questions about the show.  Like, who really needs a belly button anyway?

 

 

How to Embed Video Playlists into Your Blog
Topic: Lycos Mix

Step 1: Make a Video Mix

Choose your favorite videos from across the Web and create a playlist with Lycos Mix. If you’re new to Mix, check out our Super Speedy Guide to Creating an Awesome Video Clip Mix.

Step 2: Embed your Mix in your Blog or Web Site

Copy the embed code on your Mix page. It is located below the videos in your Mix next to “Embed Mix.” Copy and paste the embed code into your blog’s HTML editor or your web site code. Your embedded Mix will appear like magic just as the Penguin Mix below appears.

 

Step 3: Show All Your Friends

They’ll be jealous of how cool you are. I promise.

If you don’t yet have a blog or a web site, now’s the perfect time to start one. After all, you’ll need someplace to put all those awesome video Mixes you’ll be making. You can start your own blog or web site for free in minutes with Tripod.

"American Idol" Winner - Jordin Sparks!
Topic: Lycos Mix

We knew going in that someone was going to win, and 11 (mostly) talented singers were going to lose. This year’s “American Idol” contestants made up, in my opinion, the closest “Idol” race yet. While some may have guessed, no one could have seriously predicted this year’s winner. With Jordin Sparks, Blake Lewis, and Melinda Doolitle as the final three, it was anyone’s show.

If you missed a moment of the season that led up to Jordin Sparks’ win, watch this extensive Mix of American Idol performances and commentary.

 

If, like me, you were voting for Blake Lewis, check out the Blake-Only Mix.

Spidey's Back!
Topic: Lycos Mix

Spider-Man 3, the excitement begins

It has been less than a week since the release of Spider-Man 3, and my spidey-senses are still tingling. I’ve seen pictures from the set, videos of the stars at Comic-Con, and every poster and trailer I can get my hands on. Luckily, I’m not the only one excited. Lycos Mix has a great Spider-Man 3 Mix featuring several versions of the trailer and interviews with the stars. Check it out here:

 

Everyone Has a Favorite Villain

I asked several of the Lycos team members to tell me who their favorite Spider-Man villain was. There are purists, like Meredith and Lloyd, who love the Green Goblin. Meredith, the assistant to our legal team (and all-around office superwoman) says,

“My favorite villain of Spidey's is the Green Goblin, mostly due to the fact that Pete knows Norman Osborn and having to fight a friend/mentor is a great struggle for him.  Plus, the Goblin is completely nuts!  His insanity makes him terribly dangerous and totally unpredictable - creating a very formidable opponent.  Plus, I thought Willem Dafoe was excellent as Osborn!”

Lloyd, a member of our Customer Service team (and huge movie buff), says he likes the Green Goblin because of his “evil, maniacal laugh. That, and the fact that he can fly.” Eric, Product Manager Extraordinaire, said, “Any fool knows that Mysterio is the best Spider-Man villain.”

On the other side of the fence are new Spider-Man fans, such as myself and Marketing Guru Brigitte who love Venom. The double-sided aspect of the character, of all superheroes and super-villains actually, makes for an amazingly compelling storyline. Plus, the black costume is super-cool looking.

Of course, there are those who love Sandman, Doctor Octopus, or any one of the other villains Spidey has battled. Share your favorite villain in the comments!

Speaking of spiders…check out our beloved office pet Rex – a twelve-year-old tarantula.

New Navigation on Mix
Topic: Lycos Mix

 

What tickles your fancy? Looking for current events, music videos, or maybe you love dissecting the mystery of “Lost,” or belly-dancing ladies?  (We know where we’re likely to find most of you fellas – and its not in the “Explaining string theory” Mix.)   

We’ve made Mix navigation a cinch.  Click on the “Browse” tab and see menus of the hottest mixes, including the most popular, highest rated, most recent, most discussed, and most people.  You can even browse these Mixes within a specific time frame or category.  It is simple to find whatever you are looking for – and we’re pretty sure you’ll find videos you didn’t even know existed. 

For Mix-makers, we’ve added cool tools that will allow you to write descriptions that will really make your Mix stand out from the crowd.  Create a Mix  and keep an eye on your ratings and comments. Maybe you’ll hit the top of the “Highest Rated” list and we’ll feature your Mix on the homepage – your own brush with Internet celebrity!

The Ultimate SuperSpeedy Guide to Creating an Awesome Video Clip Mix
Topic: Lycos Mix
(Or, how I spend so much time Mixing up video clips that I rarely do anything else and would like to help you down the path to the same addiction - Amen)

Obsession, thy name is Mix

Lycos Mix is a cool little product that lets you create your own video clip mixes in seconds. In a previous blog entry, I listed my favorite Mixes. Since then my favorite Mixes have changed just about every week. I’ve created more Mixes than I care to say, but now I feel as though I need more: more Mixes, more superfuzzy kitten videos, more laughing baby videos, more more more! Frankly, I am tired of being in my own head so often; therefore I pass the torch to you. Without further ado, here are my supereasy tips on how to make totally awesome video clip Mixes.

Three Simple Steps

1. Give the Mix a name. People who dig your favorite things will find your Mix more easily if you give it a great name. For example, creating a Mix with Christina Aguilera videos and naming it The Best Stephen King Movies will prevent other Christina fans from finding your Mix. It would probably be funny, but not very helpful to others.

2. People love to talk about themselves. Choosing video clips that get people talking is a great way to engage people in the things you love. Do you have an intense love for all things alien? Compile a Mix of the best alien movie clips, UFO sightings and eyewitness testimony videos and pose the question “Do you believe…?” You’ll get people talking about their favorite scene in Alien or the first time they were abducted. Indeed, my friend, I do believe.

3. Make no mistake; it really is all about you. Your Mix may have rock music videos or skateboarding dogs, but in the end it’s about who you are. Focusing in on your favorite clips and ideas will help others discover the cool things you like. You may even turn someone on to something completely new and change their whole life – now that’s making an impact.

The Beauty of Technology

Like a good old-fashioned mixed tape, Lycos Mix allows you to share a small part of your life with others. The technology allows you to share not only music, but to share music videos, TV video clips, viral stuff and any other video clips you find on the Web. Start your own Mix right now and share your awesomeness with the world.

My Favorite Mixes
Topic: Lycos Mix

Here at Lycos Headquarters, we’ve all been having fun playing with our new product – Lycos Mix. Mix allows you to create a video playlist by compiling videos from all over the internet. Some of the favorite types of mixes right now are comedy-related, music videos, news items and movie clips.

 

I thought I’d share my personal favorite mixes to get you started. Here are my Top 5 Mixes:

 

 

#5: Alec Baldwin on SNL 

He is, without doubt, the best host ever. Having hosted 13 times to date, he’s had lots of practice and has amassed a catalogue of classic skits. My favorite is included in this Mix – Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin in the 13+ Hosts room, featuring Martin Short and Paul McCartney.

 

 

#4: Grey’s Anatomy Music

I don’t even watch Grey’s Anatomy, but I absolutely love this Mix. Every music video on here is great. Gnarls Barkley, Snow Patrol, the Postal Service and, of course, The Fray, set to scenes from the show. I’ve never listened to Ben Lee either, but the opening video in the mix is so catchy that I’ve watched it three times already today.

 

 

#3 How I Met Your Mother 

How I Met Your Mother is my favorite show on television right now. This Mix features some great recaps of the show, including Barney-isms (“Suit Up!”), Ted’s perfect woman and the story of Ted & Robin. It also features a clip from a cast appearance on The Megan Mullally Show where the actors that play Barney and Marshall sing a song from the Broadway play Les Miserables.

 

 

#2: Eddie Izzard – Cake or Death! 

If you haven’t seen Eddie Izzard’s stand-up show yet, you are missing out on some of the most intelligent and hilarious stand-up comedy available today. This Mix includes clips from several of his DVDs, including Dressed To Kill, Circle and Sexie. Oh, and he just happens to be a multilingual British transvestite.

 

 

#1: 80s Hair Bands

Winger, Poison, Guns ‘N’ Roses, and Def Leppard. Power ballads, rock anthems, spandex tights and big hair. Flashy videos, bright lights and pyrotechnics. Nothing beats 80s music videos.

 

Mix is an ever-changing place. Users are constantly creating new mixes and adding videos to current mixes. Is your favorite Alec Baldwin skit missing from that mix? Add it. At Mix, it truly is the more the merrier. The more videos each user adds, the more interesting and diverse the mixes get. So go ahead and add your favorite 80s video - you know you’ve got one.